I started at The HON Company in June and have enjoyed working here the past few months. Who knew there was so much to learn about office furniture? As a new member of our Sales team, I had the opportunity to participate in an internal contest where I won my very own Desktop Riser – a new tool from HON that allows you to easily transform your standard seated-height desk into a standing desk.

Since I added this new workplace tool to my workstation, it has changed the way I work. In addition to the added flexibility and ergonomic benefits I have already experienced with this simple sit-to-stand solution, I have compiled a list of fun facts that I have learned and shared with my co-workers about the Desktop Riser’s functionality.

How wide is the Desktop Riser?

The top worksurface is 35’’. Don’t have a tape measure on hand? To put it simply, it fits 2 monitors comfortably.

Where do you take notes?

I love the feeling of checking something off a list, so it was important for me to still have space to write when I set the Desktop Riser on my worksurface. There is plenty of room on the top surface of my Desktop Riser to take notes, but it is still possible to use my existing workstation area as well. No matter your preference, there’s plenty of room to fit the way you work.

Is it easy to lift up and down?

Yes! I am confident that anyone would be able to operate this easy-to-lift and lower handle. Multiple coworkers in the office have stopped by to try it out and they are always pleasantly surprised by how easily it adjusts.

The moral of the story? The Desktop Riser is a great way to create the sit-to-stand workstation you desire, and then some! It’s a lightweight and easily installed solution that can be adjusted throughout your day to fit whatever height you need, without interrupting how you work.

It takes more than a desk and chair to be productive. Today’s workspaces are designed around multitasking and maximizing every inch of space. This means surrounding yourself with workplace tools that help you do more with less. Storage solutions that help you pile, stake and organize. Technological tools that put everything within arm’s reach, and cord management that keeps it all neatly tucked away. Ample lighting whether working day or night. Options for turning a fixed desk into a sit-to-stand workstation that offers a healthier way to work.

Monitor ArmsMonitor arms help bring the office to the 21st century and free up the shrinking desk space. Being able to raise the monitor off of a worksurface can help reduce eye strain for employees, and create space division from their neighbors in low panel/open plan layouts. View the Monitor Arms cut sheet for more information.

Power ModulesBring power right to your worksurface with this clamp mount module and avoid crawling under the desk and stretching behind storage pieces to stay connected or charge electronics. View the Power and Cable Management cut sheet for more information.

Articulating Desk Lamp w/ Occupancy SensorBecause the proper amount of illumination depends both on your vision and on the tasks being performed, overhead lighting may not always be appropriate as a single lighting source and we know natural lighting can be hard to come by. Consider adding this sleek task lamp to individualize lighting and support many different types of work. And don’t worry about leaving it on overnight! The occupancy sensor will turn it off when you have walked away from your desk. View the cut sheet for more information.

Directional™ Desktop Sit-to-StandSit-to-stand desks have proven ergonomic benefits, but not everyone has the budget for or access to one. Consider Directional, a cost effective solution. This table top accessory clamps to an existing desk and can easily be raised and lowered at the press of a lever. Making it easier for workers to adjust monitors to each individual’s ideal placement, Directional can help alleviate eye strain and decrease stress on the shoulders, back and neck. View the Directional spotlight page for more information.

Sit-to-Stand Arm with Keyboard TrayAdjust this keyboard tray to help you achieve a neutral wrist posture, even while standing! To avoid wrist discomfort, especially while typing, it’s best to make sure that your wrists align with your forearms and remain in a straight line. View the cut sheet for more information.

These are just a few examples of HON’s workplace tools, designed to provide the finishing touch on any high-performance workspace. Visit hon.com/workplace-tools or watch our short Two Minute Tutorial to learn more.

Being healthy in the workplace can be challenging, especially when you feel like you don’t have the time. But it’s easy to take small steps to becoming more active in the office and motivate not only yourself, but your coworkers as well – creating a more positive work environment.

Do it Together

Teaming up with the people around you can be a great way to stay motivated. Schedule a walking meeting and chat with a team member while you take a lap around the building. Request that healthy substitutes be added to your vending machines. Join a fitness class with your coworkers or inquire about any gym membership perks or fitness classes offered through your company. For example, The HON Company is now offering a free Dance Fitness class for members in the evening and uses space in one of the manufacturing facilities to host the class.

Skip the Snacks

Pink sprinkles, smooth frosting, fluffy filling, sugary dough. The aroma of a freshly baked donut seems to have drifted past your desk. It’s not unusual for HON members to celebrate a birthday or a team success with yummy treats around the office. It is okay to give in once in a while, but in moderation. It’s always a good idea to keep healthy snacks, such as granola bars, fruit or nuts, close at hand in your overhead storage or HON pedestal for when you’re feeling tempted. When you eat these nutrient-packed foods instead, you’ll stay full longer and find it easier to turn down the sweets.

Come Prepared

We are all allowed to treat ourselves to the occasional lunch out with coworkers, but waking up 10 minutes early to put together a healthy lunch and/or eat a healthy breakfast in the morning is another great way to help you avoid snacking throughout the day. To keep yourself healthy and focused during work hours, it’s also important to stay hydrated. According to the Mayo Clinic, the recommended amount of water intake is about 3 liters (13 cups) for men and 2.2 liters (9 cups) for women per day. Bring your favorite water bottle or mug and keep it at your workstation to remind you to keep drinking throughout the day. Before you know it, you won’t even realize you’re grabbing for it!

Mix Up Your Office Furniture

The right office furniture can also create a healthier work environment. From a variety of seating solutions and standing-height desks to collaborative lounge furniture, HON has products that encourage workers to get up and move around the office as they transition between different work spaces. The way your space is designed matters, too. The right layout can motivate us to be more active, even if we just make the conscious choice to walk over and talk to someone instead of sending an email.

Quality is more than a word at The HON Company. It’s a promise, a commitment to upholding our decades-long dedication to manufacturing a superior product. With our new Centerpiece™ line, that commitment is once again driven home with our top-of-the-line veneer hardwoods, superior craftsmanship, and unwavering attention to detail.

Centerpiece is a classy, elegant veneer desk and table line. With layouts designed to support a variety of work styles, our newest desk line will work with you to accomplish your daily tasks. Moreover, Centerpiece is rooted in practicality. Our sit-to-stand option, working with our Coordinate™ Height Adjustable Base, makes your workstation not only functional, but centered around the way you work.

With a breadth of line that focuses on the office suite essentials, Centerpiece boasts a collaborative yet classic design. A broad range of storage options makes cluttered workspaces a thing of the past with clean lines and effective organization front and center. Furthermore, Centerpiece offers multiple table designs and leg options for optimal productivity away from the desk or private office.

Centerpiece comes with a variety of power options to make this stunning desk line a player for all your technological needs. To polish off its well-rounded details, eight finish selections are available from our classic Mahogany to our sought after Pinnacle.

Centerpiece opened for orders on December 12th and is poised to become a fixture in the Veneer market. To customize your work environment to compliment your work style, visit the Centerpiece spotlight page today!

Wouldn’t you love the option to sit or stand throughout your work day? Introducing Directional, the new desktop device from HON that turns any 20”-30” deep worksurface into a sit-to-stand workstation! All you have to do is choose whether to sit or stand – whenever and wherever you want.

ELEVATE YOUR WORKSTYLE.

That’s right, now you can retrofit your workspace to encourage activity and promote movement throughout the day, which is vital for a healthy work style. This gives you more control over both your environment and posture throughout the day. With Directional, there’s no complicated assembly or installation instructions, and a convenient lever helps you move the platform up and down effortlessly.

ACCESSIBLE. ADAPTABLE. AFFORDABLE.

Transform your desk into an engaging and active sit-to-stand solution accessible to everyone. Directional provides plenty of adjustability so you can effortlessly choose the height that best fits you! Whether you need to accommodate a laptop, single, or dual monitor arms, each model includes a large platform for laptops and monitors and a smaller surface for the keyboard and mouse. The large platform leaves valuable space for work and personal items. The gas-assist lever makes it easy to raise and lower Directional all while keeping your items secure and safe!

As you can see there are many reasons to be excited about HON’s new sit-to-stand, the standing height solution that can help raise your work and productivity.

When designing a new office or workspace, there are several questions to consider. What size desk do I need? How do I need my furniture to function? What kind of storage should I include? What fabrics or finishes will best fit my design goals? In addition to all of these important elements of office design, I always encourage customers not to forget the accessories! Here are three reasons why.

Many of today’s office design trends are focused on finding ways to encourage movement while people work. As sit-to-stand stations become more popular, monitor arms, power options, and wire management are accessories to consider incorporating. When using a monitor arm in a standing or seated workstation, for example, the user is able to easily maintain an ergonomically-friendly position as she transitions between sitting and standing throughout the workday. If you are using a standing-height desk, worksurface height power can give you power capabilities at your fingertips with a simple power module add-on. All of these accessory options can help create a healthier and more efficient workspace.

A second benefit of accessories is the ability to adapt to a smaller work environment. With a smaller footprint comes smaller worksurfaces, but in this case you can maximize your workspace by lifting the computer monitor off with a monitor arm. Not only does this accessory serve as an ergonomic solution, but it provides more room in which to work and promotes productivity!

Clearing out the clutter to create a tidier workspace minimizes distractions and allows workers to focus on the task at hand. By adding paper management, or filing storage solutions, you can instantly clear your space and clear your mind. It’s a bonus if these storage solutions are available in bright, vibrant colors that can add to your office design and keep the space full of energy.

Whether you need to improve ergonomics, maximize space, or increase organization, there are several reasons to take advantage of workplace accessories! Visit the Accessories Spotlight Page on hon.com to learn more.

Recently, the HON product team asked me to test out a new Height Adjustable Table (HAT). It can adjust to any height from 23 1/2”-51 ½” (including my worksurface) and allows me the flexibility I need for maximum productivity.

Here are a few reasons why I especially love my new height adjustable workspace:

1. Get a move on. I’m an energetic person and my HAT allows me to work off excess energy. I have a tendency to talk with my hands and move around while on the phone. My worksurface adjusts to give me the space I need when I stand for long, involved phone calls.

2. Collaboration Station. Accommodating visitors is much easier at a standing height vs. sitting. Guests can walk right up to my desk and be at my height. They can even put their laptop on my desk so we can share information right away – avoiding the challenge of trying to work together from different heights.

3. Change it up. The Height Adjustable Table allows me to be flexible and change up my work style depending on my mood. When I need to get serious, heads-down work done, I can sit and focus. When I need to be cheerful and high energy, standing height works great.

If you currently use a Height Adjustable Table in your workstation, what are some of your favorite features?